Ched Evans Twitter Abuse: Three Arrests After Rape Victim Named On Social Network

Three people have been arrested by police investigating the alleged naming of Sheffield United footballer Ched Evans' rape victim on Twitter.

The woman's name was allegedly published on the social networking site after Evans, 23, was jailed on 20 April for five years at Caernarfon Crown Court for raping a woman who was "too drunk to consent".

Two men have been arrested under Section 5 of the Sexual Offences Amendments Act, North Wales Police said. Another man was arrested on suspicion of malicious communication.

"All three men are being detained by South Yorkshire Police at Sheffield police station where they are being interviewed by North Wales Police officers," North Wales police said.

North Wales Police DCI Steve Williams added: “These arrests were made with the assistance of South Yorkshire Police and are part of a series of planned arrests we will be making during this on going investigation.”

Rape and other sexual assault victims are guaranteed the legal right to lifetime anonymity.

Holly Dustin, director of the End Violence Against Women coalition, and Rape Crisis England and Wales, said on Sunday: "It is profoundly disturbing that the victim in the Ched Evans trial has been named and abused on Twitter and other social media sites.

"It has long been law that rape complainants are protected by lifetime anonymity and those who have named her have been reported to the police for committing a criminal offence."